A decision to run the contest is expected to be made Friday or early Saturday, Banks said.

A west-northwest swell is projected Sunday to be about 10 feet at 19-second intervals, said Mark Sponsler, surf forecaster at Stormsurf.com. The swell could translate to wave faces of 25 feet or more at Maverick's.

"It's looking pretty solid," Sponsler said Tuesday. "It looks like a really great run of swell coming. Winds are supposed to be good when the swell arrives, right out of the east. The models have been holding steady."

The weather in Half Moon Bay on Sunday also is expected to be sunny with a high of 66, according to the National Weather Service.

Five of the 17 alternates also are from Santa Cruz. The rest of the field hails from places such as Hawaii, South Africa, Australia, Brazil and elsewhere in California.

Unlike some previous Maverick's events, no spectators will be allowed near the cliff because of safety and environmental concerns. Some spectators were injured during the 2010 contest, when waves reached the beach and swept people off their feet.

Organizers have said the best way to watch the event will be on the live webcast at www.MavericksInvitational.com or at a festival on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel and Spa near the break.

The day of the contest, the festival will include big screen coverage of the surfing action and food and drinks for sale.

Festival tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.

The venue at 280 Capitola Road in Half Moon Bay can hold about 12,000 people and the event could sell out, Banks said. Special passes are available to mingle with the competitors.

Much of the proceeds are expected to pay for law enforcement, and crowd and traffic control during the event.

Agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol will attend and have been part of the planning, Banks said.

Because parking will not be allowed on Highway 1 or other areas, parking is only available at the Half Moon Bay Airport, 3850 Cabrillo Highway. Parking is $15 and proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside.

Banks said the anticipation has been mounting this week with the swell forecast. If it does not run Sunday, the event's waiting period extends to March 31.